[Comparison of tumor incidence in 251 first-degree relatives of 50 patients with colorectal carcinoma with those of the Basel population].

A tumor-centered family history obtained in 50 patients with colorectal carcinoma without polyposis coli revealed that first-degree relatives of such patients have a 3.6 times greater risk of developing colorectal carcinoma themselves. The simple and harmless family history method can be employed by any physician for the identification of healthy persons at high risk for colorectal carcinoma.

[Familial cancer. Initial results of an inquiry into its occurrence in Basel].

The initial results of a systematic study conducted in Basel on the existence of relatives with cancer in the families of more than 600 tumour patients indicate that neoplasm of all organs have forms in whose etiology genetic predisposition is an important factor. This is illustrated by the examples of mammary carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, gastric carcinoma and lymphoproliferative diseases. Research into genetic predisposition to cancer is of practical value in order to protect persons at risk from the serious consequences of malignant tumors, and also of scientific interest because the characterisation of certain tumours can provide a fundamental insight into the pathogenesis of these diseases.